ACBS Annual Meeting & International Boat Show
The Antique & Classic Boat Society, Inc. (ACBS) Annual Meeting & International Boat Show was very well represented by members of The Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club with many stunning examples of Chris-Craft boats of all styles and sizes.
Dick Werner did an outstanding job of organizing several very interesting and well attended Symposiums on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday morning, Club Member, Author, Historian Tony Mollica along with Chris Smith (Grandson of Chris-Craft Founder) presented "The History and Development of the World's Largest Producer of Wooden Boats - CHRIS-CRAFT."
Tony & Chris stayed around for a panel discussion of Chris-Craft, the Manufacturer and the Club. The Panel consisted of: Chris Smith, Tony Mollica, Terry Fiest and Don Ayers.
Following the Panel Discussion, Don Ayers, our President, presented a brief update on the Club status & health and answered question.
Chris-Crafts Were Out In Force
Down on the docks was an amazing collection of fabulous boats of which almost one-third were Chris-Craft. The largest was a 1969, 41-foot Constellation Sedan named Nickl IV owned by Nick & Gudrun Weinsaft of Branson, MO. Other amazing Chris-Craft cruisers were trailered to the lake. Bob & Chris Ann (Smith) Braff brought
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James Tobin's Cavalier Crusader
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Chris' Craft II, a 1957, 28-foot Sedan Cruiser from Colorado. James Tobin and first mate, Alice Lockhart brought Sarah Catherine,their 1967, 30-foot Cavalier Crusader from the Mississippi River near St. Louis, MO. Chris Smith and daughter Joy were present with Odyssea, his 1961, 27-foot Sea Skiff from Holland, MI. Paul Anderson and First Mate Barbara Callison travelled from Los Altos, CA with Klondike, their 1938, 25-foot Clipper which won Restored Antique Cruiser at the awards ceremony Saturday evening.
Other Chris-Craft winners were as follows:
Restored Classic Runabout - Lee Hunt's 1955, 21-foot Capri Partners Choice
Preserved Classic Utility - Dale Sirois' 1964, 20-foot Super Sport Changing Course
Restored Classic Utility - Michael Beachner's 1964, 20-foot Super Sport Liberty Bell
Preserved Antique Runabout - Jack Beatley's 1927, 22-foot Cadet Chief Waramoug
Antique Chris-Craft - Kirk Smith's 1940, 22-foot Deluxe Utility Dream On
Classic Chris-Craft - Mary Ann Ohnheiser's 1967, 20-foot Super Sport Time Machine
Most Original Boat - Rafe Hunsucker's 1960,17-foot Cavalier Irish Mist
Mahogany Bay Award - Clay Thompson's 1949, 25-foot Sportsman Summertime (featured in the Fall 2011 Brass Bell.
Amazing Pre-Show Activities
Prior to the ACBS International Show the Heartland Classics Chapter hosted an amazing week of events with no less than four wonderful cruises on beautiful Table Rock Lake.
The schedule included plenty of time to take in the sights and sounds of Branson and/or enjoy some of the delightful amenities at Big Cedar Lodge.
There was a fantastic dinner cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle and an enlightening visit to The Titanic Museum in Branson.